Llilia Comes to Lakehome

1202, Spring

Lilia had taken her gauntlet not long before, and shortly thereafter announced her intention to depart Stonehollow Covenant and seek admission to Lakehome. She had met some of the magi there at the last Tribunal, to which Pierre had brought her although she was still only an apprentice.

They were a good pair, this Jerbiton magus and his former apprentice, not a maga in her own right. Both talkative and cheerful. Both fond of singing, although Lilia had much the better voice. Both possessed of the Gentle Gift and fond of travelling.

This was the first time, though, that Pierre had approached the maga to discuss her departure.

"You make it sound as if I cannot get away from you fast enough. Surely you know that's not true. I only wish to see a tiny bit more of the world -- and I feel those I met at Lakehome could use my help," said Lilia, just on the verge of tears.

Pierre nodded, "That is true enough. One of them, Osprey, seems competent to deal with the outside world, but the others? Terrus and Twins? I've not heard five words from Terrus in all the years we've met at Tribunals. The Twins have eyes only for each other. But, living underground like that?" Pierre shuddered exaggeratedly, then smiled.

"Surely they let us out into the fresh air once in a great while," she said, her old grin replacing the tears.

She sniffed, then. "And I will send word and keep contact with you. I'll even come visit when I may."

"Do send word, Guillaume is a fine Redcap," said Pierre. "Closer relations between our two Covenants would be no bad thing, either. Bremerin and Pandrin have had their way for too long, I think. Is it still your plan to travel with Guillaume to Lakehome, then?"

"Think of all the good I could achieve, Sodalis," she said, excited. "I can help those otherworldly souls learn the joys of companionship and neighbourly action, bringing them closer to the glorious world outside their cave... I can help bring our two Covenants closer together... I can meet all these new people myself and learn from them... It's a blessed day, really."

She sobered slightly, smiling fondly at her mentor. "I will miss you, though."

"We shall see each other at Tribunals, and perhaps other times as well, when we can break free of our studies and duties," he said. "You shall not lack for companionship, though. Lakehome is not too far distant from Grenoble, and you have friends there, do you not?"

"I do indeed -- and family." Lilia laughed. "I have very nearly filled up my free time with planned visits home and here. Ah, well. We shall see what the future holds."

"Indeed." Pierre took his leave.

Several days later, Guillaume arrived with the news of the various covenants. As was customary he rested for a few days, before preparing to depart. The covenant provided them with food and supplies which were loaded onto Guillaume's horse, but he and Lilia would walk.

The pair travelled south out of Surmont and down toward l'Ouveze river, which they would follow back to the Rhone. From there, they would travel up the Rhone to Valence, cross the Rhone and then follow the Isere to Grenable. Guillaume planned to make for Valence the first day. "Have you seen the cathedral there?" he asked. "We should be able to find a place to pass the night."

"I believe we travelled through Valence years back, when I was a child. I don't quite remember the cathedral, but I'm sure it will be a good haven for the night."

"We may be able to find a haven. The monks have lodgings for pilgrims and travellers. I think we can pass as pilgrims," he said.

Soon enough, the reached the Rhone river, majestic as it raced south to the sea. They turned left to follow it's course north. When they reached Valence they would find a ferry across the river. "For," as Guillaume observed, "although I could probably take myself across the river with Rego Corpus, if need be, I don't believe I could get Humbert here across." He slapped the horse's neck genially. "I call him Humbert because of his hooves, you see." The horse had white hair on his two forelegs.

"Ah... I see," said Lilia. "Very clever, Guillaume."

Guillaume chuckled. "Up there is where we can find a ferry. Then we'll simply head to the cathedral as pligrims, I think, and pass the night."

"A good plan." Lilia yawned. "It hasn't been a strenuous day, but it has been full. I will welcome the rest when we get there."

"Are you known in Valence?" asked Guillaume. "If we are to pass as pilgrims, it would be best to go as strangers. I can disguise myself easily enough ..." he trailed off.

"Known, yes, though not since I was but nine years of age. I think I should be able to pass as a stranger here."

"Have you any Art to make it more certain?"

"In fact, I do," said Lilia. "I have the Disguise of the New Visage."

"Ah, then I suggest we both alter our visages, cross the river and then wait until after sunset to seek the cathedral. It would be most inconvenient were our spells to disperse within the precincts of the church!"

Suiting word to action, Guillaume made the gestures for Muto and Corpus and his facial features ran together and reformed into a new face, undistinguished in most ways, but sporting a birthmark on one cheek. Lilia thought she heard a faint sound of bells as he worked his art.

Soon they reached the ferry and crossed into the city. "We have nearly an hour till sunset," said Guillaume. "Let us see the sights." The two walked about the city, looking at the craftsmen at their labors and watching the cathedral from afar. As the sun began to set, they turned down an alley where they could be alone for a few minutes. As the sun faded, so did their spells. They renewed them quickly and then made their way to the cathedral. Presenting themselves as pilgrims they were shown to humble lodgings, but warm enough and with a place for their horse as well.

The next day, they left before dawn and were well on the road before their spells faded. They travelled along the Isere toward Grenoble that day. They would be two days on the road to Grenoble. "Were I by myself, I should simply make a camp tonight," said Guillaume. "But we could seek lodgings at Saint-Romans, if you would prefer."

"I like camping. I am practised at it," said Lilia.

"Very good," said Guillaume.

An hour or so before dusk, Guillaume turned away from the river and into the wilderness, pausing to cast a spell, which Lilia easily recognized as Intelligo Herbam. Then they went looking for a campsite. Finding one Guillaume thought was suitable, he dismounted. "If you can make camp, I will see if I can find us something for the pot."

Lilia set about making shelter from a tarp and several springy boughs she gathered nearby, conjuring a sturdy vine to lash the loose ends together, creating a cozy sleeping den. She cleared a space and got a fire going.

Guillaume returned shortly after dark, emptyhanded. He grinned ruefully, "Cheese and bread tonight, I fear." Looking up at the night sky, he said, "We shall have rain tomorrow. An hour after dawn, I think. We had best be on the road by then."

"Yes -- breaking camp in the rain is one of my least favourite chores."

Guillaume examined the camp with evident approval, then broke out the food and some beer. Soon after, they banked the fire down and went to their beds.

The next morning, they woke at dawn, breakfasted on more cheese and bread, then struck camp quickly. They had been on the road for only a short while when the rain began to fall. Their progress was hindered as the path became muddy, but by noon the sun was out and the way was dry.

"Our way is to the south of Grenoble. We can enter the city if you wish, but that quickest way is to pass to the south of it," said Guillame. "We would leave the river here and pass northeast, there," he pointed. "To strike the Veneon river as it enters the valley which bears its name. The way is not easy, but I have travelled it before. That way," he pointed almost due north, "lies Grenoble. We could follow the Drac to the Romanche to the Veneon. The way is longer but easier."

"How is the southern route harder? I don't mind hills and hikes, but I'd rather not battle a wild boar."

"We shall not need to battle with the wilderness. I know its ways and it mine," he said. "You need fear no beast."

"Then let's to the shorter route. I'm up for the adventure!"

Without any further ado, Guillaume turned his horse to the side. Soon they were rising into the mountains and away from the populous regions. Guillaume called a halt while it was still light. "Tomorrow we must cross that ridge, there. If we attempted it tonight we should be far too cold to pass a pleasant night."

They made another meal of their provisions and passed the night. The next day they started early and by noon were cresting the high point of the ridge. Lilia could tell by the chill that it would have made for a dangerously cold night had they been trapped on it after dark.

Then they descended, dropping down into the Veneon valley. Guillaume called for another early stop to the day's travel, for the crossing had been hard and horses and riders were both tired. He went after game while Lilia made camp, and this time returned with a rabbit. He skinned and skewered it and they roasted it over the fire.

"Tomorrow we should arrive at Lakehome," he said.

They struck the Romanche river just above its confluence with the Veneon, and turned southeast. A few miles later they turned full south and their progress slowed as they climbed up the valley toward Lauvitel.

They arrived at the lower village in mid-afternoon. Guillaume stopped at one of the farms and Guillaume greeted the man, "Good afternoon, Charles. I'll be staying a few days, can you stable my horses as usual?"

The man allowed he could.

"Good, this is Lilia," said Guillaume. "She has come to join the others. This is Charles, Lilia. He owns the ox and cart and his son, Conrad has taken service with Lakehome. He also stables my horses while I visit. Is Conrad about? No? Pity, we shall have to climb."

The pair climbed the steep trail to the lake above the lower village, and Guillaume pointed out the stone spire to Lilia. "That is the entrance. Although," he confided, "There is a Hermes Portal below that we shall probably use. But we must wait for a guide. They keep a watch there, so I usually just build a fire." Suiting word to action, he gathered some driftwood and then with a whispered Creo Ignem spell set it alight, the settled back to wait.

Lilia could see a fishing boat on the lake and she and Guillaume watched the men at their work. After some time, a large bird took off from the spire and flew toward them. It circled them once or twice and Lilia recognized it as an osprey. Guillaume waved cheerfully at it. "That's Osprey," he said. "A Bjornaer of the covenant."

The bird landed near them, and squawked in a recognizable voice, "Guillaume, welcome. This is the maga you spoke of?"

"Yes, Osprey this is Lilia."

"Welcome. I shall send someone to the portal to receive you. You know the way," said the bird.

"Yes, thank you," said Guillaume. The bird took off and flew back toward the spire. "Now," said Guillaume. "Back down."

They put out the fire and descended, reaching the bottom shortly before dark. Guillaume led Lilia west to a small cave where a young man waited.

The slight man was busy juggling three stones while balancing on a piece of wood propped upon a single stone. Despite being deep in concentration he seemed to be instantly aware of their approach as if he had heard them. With a flourish, he caught the three stones and dropped them to the ground springing over to the two.

"Guillaume, Master Osprey did not say it was you," he said joyfully. "And..." as his attention turned toward Guillaume's associate, Lucien shyly added with a boyish grin "I am Lucien."

"And I am Lilia," she said, with an answering grin. "You juggle so well! I have seen master jugglers at village fetes that were not so skilled."

Lucien was taken aback by her well intentioned compliment and responded "I would know nothing of that." The young man's effervescence dimmed drastically as he became much more matter-of-fact. "Come Guillaume, Master Osprey is waiting."

Lilia immediately noticed the change in Lucien's behavior, and moreso observed that he avoided eye contact for the rest of the trip through the Hermes Portal.

Upon reaching the other side of the portal, Lilia touched Lucien's sleeve gently. "I am sorry if I gave offense. I only wish for us to be friends."

Despite her curiosity over Lucien's reaction, she refrained from pressing the matter. With any luck, she would learn enough about the apprentice to avoid future blunders.

Reluctantly, Lucien looked up and nodded before scurrying off to complete his task of seeing to the guests. Inside he was torn. Maybe she meant it as the compliment it was; on the other hand was her manner of speech and the way she carried herself. She was a person of upbringing and that very well could mean that she knew the nobleman who had vowed to capture him. Was she an agent sent to bring him to justice? Oh how he wished he had never pilfered that pouch! But he had, and forever he would be a marked man. This Lilia could be searching for him under authority of the nobleman. What if she had been searching all the troupes in France looking for him and her investigations led her here? Panic stricken, Lucien vowed to remain suspicious until he could satisfy his curiosity of just why she had come.

All visitors to Lakehome were taken aback at first by the oddness of the place. Fortunately, Lilia had Guillaume with her to help her adjust.

The Covenant was entirely underground, he explained, carved out of the rock by Terrus, the founder, and expanded by Terrus and others over the years as needed. It was not the most becoming place Lilia had seen, tending toward functional rather than attractive.

Lucien had left them at the portal, scampering like rabbit down a tunnel and leaving them in the hands of a large and handsome, but somewhat vacant looking guard or servant. This was Conrad, the son of Charles the farmer. He held a torch whose flame seemed rather to refresh the air than consume it. He led them off through the maze of tunnels.

Guillaume told her that Lakehome had no guest quarters that he knew of, and that they usually put him in a tunnel near the kitchen. At this Conrad nodded and said that they had found wide spots in several tunnels near the kitchen and hung some blankets to provide privacy.

Lilia wrapped herself closer in her cloak, for it was both cold and damp in the tunnels. Near the kitchen, a slight man waited for them, floating in the air. Guillaume introduced him as Osprey. Osprey welcomed them, apologized for the lack of accomadations and pointed to a tunnel. "After you are settled, Lilia, perhaps you would join me in the library and we can discuss your plans for a few moments?"

"Of course. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes."

Lucien rejoined them at this point, with a load of blankets and robes.

"Ah," said Osprey, "Lucien will help you settle in and then lead you to the library."

"Thank you," she said to Osprey, then turned to Lucien. "And thank you for the blankets. Now, where shall I leave my belongings?"

Lucien indicated a hollowed out spot in the tunnel wall that could accomodate belongings in the manner of a shelf. He spoke very little and even then cautiously. As he completed hanging the blankets and seeing to the arrangement of pallets he waited patiently for Lilia to get settled and then led her to the library.

Lilia thanked him and turned to Osprey.

The library was the dryest place Lilia had seen so far in the Covenant. A torch, like the ones the apprentice and the guard had carried, was mounted on the wall near a few shelves which seemed drawn out of the very rock. Osprey was idly examining a large tome when Lilia came in.

"Welcome, Lilia," he said, "to the Covenant of Stonehollow. We received word of your coming and your intent to seek membership. We welcome new blood. Since we did know exactly when you would arrive, you may have to wait a day or two until we can arrange a council to discuss your admittance. Those involved in laboratory work need to reach a good stopping point. Until then, Conrad and a Torch of Sweet Air will be at your disposal. He can guide you through the Covenant, or outside if you wish. All the areas of the Covenant are open to you, save this library, and, of course, our respective Sancta and laboratories. Although, if you'd like to visit my lab, that would be acceptable. Lucien's training is not at a point where a few moments interruption will do lasting harm."

"I would very much like to see your lab," said Lilia. "If you let me know when would be most convenient for you, I will be there. I would be grateful to have Conrad show me the Covenant. I do have one question: I believe I have seen Torches of Sweet Air about, but could you tell me more precisely of their nature?"

"Why do you not come and visit near noon?" said Osprey as he rose and walked to the Torch. "The torches are, if I say so myself, central to our ability to dwell here. I designed them years ago, using the arts of Ignem, Auram and Creo. They burn without being consumed and provide us light, of which there is none naturally of course. In addition they continually provide something akin to the Chamber of Spring Breezes. Without the Torches the air would soon become stuffy and bad, and possibly dangerous. I've made, oh, nearly a dozen, I think. Enough to have one in most of the well-travelled common areas with spare or two for myself, Terrus and the Twins, and a few more for the servants and grogs."

"An impressive solution to the problem of underground living," said Lilia. "I shall meet you in your lab at noon, then. Conrad, if you would be so good as to show me the common areas of the covenant...?"

The common areas were few enough; the kitchen, and a few larger tunnels. The emphasis at Lakehome was not on comfort. Lilia did notice that they the places did not seem empty and dank out of poverty, for the equipment there was was good quality and looked to be of recent vintage. Rather it seemed that either no one cared or was organized enough to attend to the furnishing or equipage on a regular basis. Perhaps the magi never looked beyond their sancta, it was a common enough habit

When she arrived at the lab, her thesis seemed likely. The lab was well-equipped with glassware and various tools and instruments, and the room itself was the most comfortable she had seen. There was a stove, whose smoke vanished as it approached the Torch of Sweet Air which burned in a sconce nearby. Even so, the room was a bit chilly.

Osprey and Lucien were sitting by the stove and discussing Muto and the art of shifting shape when she arrived. Osprey greated her courteously enough, and continued with, "Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, we shall meet - in the kitchen, the largest common area we have, to dicuss your admission," Osprey said. "Now, though, let me show you some of my new instruments."

Lilia grinned broadly. She loved working with her peers, and liked very much discovering new techniques, new equipment, new ways of looking at things.

Still wary of her faux pas with Lucien, smiled and nodded to him before turning her attention to Osprey's lab.

The young apprentice returned her smile, even if it was somewhat forced, and went about his daily chores. The arrival of two more in the covenant meant that Osprey would be even busier than usual, which left Lucien with even greater responsibility to the maintenance of the status quo.

The equipment was of good quality and Osprey told her that they purchased most of it in Grenoble, although the merchant there got some of the glassware from Italy. He finished up the short tour and then put Lilia back into Conrad's hands until the council meeting tomorrow.

	*		*		*		*

Osprey motioned her to a chair and the pair chatted for a moment or two, with Lucien hovering in the background. Then Lilia got her first good look at the Twins, and her first look of any kind in several years. Castoria and Pollia, and no one seemed to know or care which was which, were dimunitive women, small and frail looking. Their simple robes seemed to bo constantly damp, and when they spoke they tended to complete each others sentences. They had been injured a few weeks before, Conrad had made some reference to it, and they were obviously still recovering for they moved slowly and gingerly. Osprey made the introductions, giving both names but no indication of which woman was which. The Twins took chairs at the far end of the table from the head, which was clearly reserved for Terrus.

An awkward silence fell on the room for a while, then. Minutes passed before a sweeping or robes heralded the arrival of Terrus. Lilia's first thought on seeing the magus up close, was to marvel at how dirty he was. An iron spade was thrust through the belt of his simple brown robe, and gem of some kind seemed to be set in his forehead and peeked out from under his hair. He nodded to Osprey, glared at the Twins and sat. Terrus manner of speech was discursive, he was easily drawn off into tangets, or pursued them himself with no prompting. So it was that although he spoke for ten or fifteen minutes, very little useful information came across. Lilia wasn't sure, but thought he might be very shy.

Lucien had to work not to stare at Terrus, for this was only the third or fourth time he had ever seen the famously reclusive founder.

The gist of his opening spiel was that he had heard that Lilia wanted to come to Lakehome, and wanted to know why she wished to join the Covenant.

"Thank you for allowing me this glimpse into your home. I hope to make it mine for some time. It seems to me that a liaison of sorts between yourselves and the outside world might be beneficial to Lakehome as well as nearby communities and I would be delighted to assist to that end. Even the Church and its denizens can become allied with magi!

Osprey nodded at this, "Although you know that the Dominion interferes with our work, I tend to agree."

The others remained mute.

"For myself, I am only recently finished with my apprenticeship. To live and learn with magi of different leanings and abilities can only strengthen my own magic -- indeed, my soul and person.

"To be honest," she said, smiling, "I enjoy people of all sorts and revel in bringing them together, even over their differences and prejudices. I want to build friendships with all of Lakehome and maybe draw us all closer to each other in consanguinity and genuine affection."

Her eyes sparkling with fellowship, Lilia stepped back a bit and awaited reply.

Terrus snorted a bit, "Foolishness. We need solitude and quiet to work. Still." He looked around the table, "We agree." It was clear that although he said "we" his was the vote that mattered. Terrus circumlocuted for a while more, then with a final glare at the Twins, left the council. The Twins welcomed Lilia formally to the Covenant and then also departed.

Osprey laughed a little after they had gone. "Drawing us together in affection may prove a difficult task. Terrus rarely leaves his laboratory, and the Twins are not much better. Well, the decision to join us is now yours, and before you decide let me show you the charter and explain the rules. Lucien, it wouldn't hurt you to listen to this again, you'll be taking your gauntlet soon and will have to decide if you wish to stay. Let us go to the library."

The library was only a short distance away down tht tunnel, and once there, Osprey pulled a scroll off the shelf. "There are several points worth mentioning immediately. The first is that one season each year of your time must spent in service to the Covenant. Terrus, of course, is exempted from this requirement. He is a Tremere, as you know, and so he has made clear that anyone may challenge him to Certamen to be released from their service for a year. If you choose that option and fail, though, you will owe two seasons.

"If you join, you share in the resources, but for a few years at least, if you leave, all of your works remain here, and any resources you have used must be replaced with an equivalent value. Naturally," he held up a hand to forestall her question, "Terrus decides alone what is an acceptable indemnity."

"If you stay, you will need to create your lodgings. If your skill it Terram is not adequate to the task, Terrus will probably do it for you if you ask. Of course, that will leave you in his debt. There are a few spells in the library which you can use, casting directly from the text. That's why Terrus wrote them down; he hates to be bothered.

"We'll need some more Torches of Sweet Air, there are notes on how to do that in the library, and that would fulfill your obligation to the Covenant for the year as well.

"There is more, of course," he said. "It is in here. Peruse it today, and tell me your decision tomorrow, at breakfast."

Lilia perused the scroll that evening and pondered what she considered the strange reluctance of the others to explore human relations beyond their magical studies. Daunting, perhaps, to be thought foolish by those sharing your home, but she was sure they'd realise how satisfying fellowship could be once they'd had a taste.

She looked around her cubby and sighed. She knew she wouldn't back down from the challenge, no matter the resistance she met from her colleagues. Maybe she should concentrate on figuring out how to make her living space more comfortable and perhaps attempting her Torches of Sweet Air. Terram and Ignem -- bother.

"At least it's not Auram," she muttered to herself.

The next morning, she told Osprey of her decision to stay.

"I hoped you would," he confided. "Terrus and the Twins are not good company, and the others," he waved his hand around, "well, their Latin is poor and their experience so limited." He sent Lucien for Guillaume to witness, and then bid her append her signature to the bottom of the document. "This will do until a Quaesitor can witness." After she had done so, he spoke formally, "Lilia filia Pierre, I invite you within the protection of our Aegis of the Hearth, and give you this token," he offered her a silver coin strung on a leather thong, "as symbol of this."

As Lilia took it, the slight pressure she had felt against her gift ever since entering the Covenant vanished.

"I'm afraid you'll have to hold on the token until next Miw-Winter when we renew the Aegis," said Osprey. "But, now, welcome, Sodalis. Conrad will be your guide and bodyguard for as long as you need him, unless you'd rather have someone else. You may borrow a Torch of Sweet Air until you have a chance to acquire some of your own."

Lilia startled a little -- nobody had called her "Sodalis" like that before. She put the thong on the coin over her head and patted it into place.

"Conrad suits me well, if I haven't bothered the life out of him," she said, nodding politely to Conrad. "Thank you for the Torch -- I'd like to study the instruction for making my own, if you please." She turned, then turned back.

"The notes are on the library, you should be able to find them without difficulty," said Osprey.

"Thank you for your warmth and welcome, Osprey. I hope I provide good company and prove myself worthy of your friendship and the protection of this Covenant."

Then she followed Conrad down the tunnels to her quarters.